Flip

More and more telecommunication satellites are orbiting our planet. The FLIP project aims to develop several payload architecture solutions in order to bring more flexibility to the satellite’s management.

The FLIP project is the answer to a growing demand for flexibility from telecommunication satellite operators. These operators want to be able to manage their satellites in a more dynamic and flexible way once they are in orbit, in order to adapt to market fluctuations (among other things).

This includes satellite coverage, Ku-band frequency resources, as well as power allocated by channel and/or region to meet fluctuating network usage.

FLIP is supported by CNES and lead by Thales Alenia Space. The project developed technological foundations for more flexibility in future satellite payloads, such as adaptable frequency converters, on-board power banks, adjustable coverage antennae, etc.

Another objective for the FLIP programme is to provide CNES’s telecommunications laboratory with the first flexible payload demonstrator in Europe, to set up end-to-end performance assessment. This demonstrator is currently in the development stage.